The Association of Palestinian Local Authorities "APLA" conducted a workshop under the title "Calculating the Cost of Services at Local Authorities" under the activities of the Financial Management Hub. It aimed to discuss the importance, basics and means of calculating the total cost of services at local authorities, in order to enhance the capacities of financial managers and staff at local authorities. The workshop also included the presentation of local best practices before 45 participants, all financial officers from local authorities, members of the Financial Management Hub.
APLA's Executive Director, Eng. Abdallah Anati, expressed his appreciation during the opening remarks of the workshop the role of the members of the Financial Management Hub and their contributions to the diagnosis and assessment of financial challenges facing local authorities as well as proposed solutions, being the most experienced and informed of the reality of local authorities. Moreover, he presented the key legislations and policies governing the work of APLA in order to advocate for local authorities, defend their rights and enable them to work in a proper environment that is motivating for development and innovation, as well as APLA's continuous endeavor to support local authorities on the path to good and sustainable local governance.
The Director General of Budgets, Guidance and Control at MoLG, Raed Sharabati presented the financial reality of local authorities, as well as the key issues and challenges facing them, and means of enhancing revenues and collection within the legal limits and provisions of guidance and control, inviting the participants to enhance performance and invent solutions for those challenges and issues.
Dr. Ghassan Da'as, the trainer, gave a detailed presentation on various means and examples, especially on how to calculate the fair and inclusive costs of local authorities' services, in addition to the work manuals applicable locally and internationally, legislative references for calculating costs and tariff, explaining the principles and applications of calculating the tariff, calculating cost, gradual return of cost, and the necessary preparations to assume these responsibilities.
Meanwhile, the Financial Manager at Hebron Municipality, Refa'at Quneibi, presented the Municipality's experience in this regard, discussing the challenges facing the Municipality, and emphasizing the importance of fair prices and considering the ability of the service recipients to pay such prices for the services they receive.
On the side of this workshop, a technical meeting was convened for the financial team to develop perceptions and priorities for the upcoming phase of the Financial Management Hub. the workshop is organized under APLA's Multi-Annual Action Plan "MAAP", funded by the EU, with the aim of supporting the program of Technical Hubs for exchanging experiences among local authorities. It is worth noting that the Technical Hub is comprised of five Hubs: Engineering and Planning Hub, Public Relations Hub, Financial Management Hub, Village Councils Hub, and Creativity and Innovation Hub.
